Voters' rebellion could tilt Kericho Senate race

FROM LEFT: Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, Kanu candidate in Kericho Senate by-election Paul Sang, party Chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and secretary general Nick Salat during a campaign rally at Kapkatet grounds in Kericho. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/ STANDARD]

KERICHO: The Jubilee candidate in the Kericho Senate by-election Aaron Cheruiyot is desperately battling to hold onto his support base following a protest campaign by against Deputy President William Ruto.

Residents have accused the DP—Cheruiyot's principal supporter—of abandoning them after the last elections.

Claims of Mr Cheruiyot’s familial relationship with former Senator Charles Keter are turning out to hurt his candidacy — the government has been accused of favouring his family in public appointments. A list of those related to the candidate have been circulated by his rivals, including Ms Betty Maina, the  East African Integration Principal Secretary. 

The DP recently told leaders he met at the Kericho Tea Research Institute that he was unaware of the family relationships.

“I apologise to the people of Kericho if those appointed were related to CS Keter. The interviews for state officials were done on merit and Ms Maina was the most qualified and experienced,” said DP Ruto.

Though the by-election has attracted five candidates focus has been on Jubilee’s Cheruiyot and Paul Sang of Kanu.

Other candidates cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission are Bishop Daniel Tanui of National Vision Party (NVP), Maendeleo Democratic Party’s Wycliffe Kipkemoi Ng’enoh and Paul Sigei of United Democratic Movement (UDM).

Jubilee campaigns is being led by the DP while Kanu's campaign is spearheaded by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

Mr Sang is arguably the most experienced politicians in the race. He served two terms as MP for the Buret constituency (1997-2002 and 2002-2007). The former Cheborgei High School Principal served as Health Minister in the former President Moi's administration. He will be  making his second attempt for the Senate after he was swept aside by the URP wave in the 2013 polls.

His campaign has been boosted by an alliance between Kanu leaders and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s People Patriotic Party of Kenya which was formidable enough to secure the  Nyangores Ward seat in last month’s by-election.

Analysts describe Sang as an effective mobiliser. 

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE

“He has a gift in mobilising people, especially teachers who have often rallied behind him during his previous campaigns in Bureti constituency,” says University of Eldoret lecturer Dr Philip Chebunet.

During his tenure as the Bureti MP, Sang initiated a number of development projects. The construction  of  30 day secondary schools and tens of health dispensaries are credited to his stewardship of the constituency.

“My track record speaks for itself.  I am not a corrupt leader and for the years I served as MP and in government, never was my name associated in any scandal. My only aim is to ensure that public funds are protected, and that devolution is a success," he said.

Cheruiyot on the other hand is banking on the support of the youth who rallied behind him in the Jubilee Alliance Party nominations. This buoyed him when he floored   veteran politicians like former Roads Minister Franklin Bett and former MP Magerer Langat.

While Bett joined Cheruiyot in the campaign trail after losing the party nominations, Magerer teamed up with Sang in Kanu.

The 31-year-old Communications and Literature graduate of Moi University  who  operates tour companies says it is the youths' turn to govern.

“It is time for our parents to retire,” Cheruiyot said in reference to the veteran Sang.

Cheruiyot does not view his relative youth as a liability.

“I have been in business where I honed my leadership skills," he offers.

His campaign slogan is ‘Kiptoiyot Komas Kasit,’ for Kipsigis, ‘Let the young man work’. “It is time for the youth of Kericho County to stand up and be counted,” he said in an interview.

NVP’s Bishop Tanui is not new to politics, serving as MP for Kipkelion constituency between 1992 and 1997 and assistant Minister in President Moi’s administration.

NVP party chairman Nicholas Biwott has been spearheading Tanui's campaigns.  Tanui seems himself as a moderate who can unite local people.

“My candidature is not a polarising one. My rallying call is for the unity of the people of Kericho,” he says.

MDP’s Ng’eno, a lawyer,  prides himself as a social rights defender. The advocate, who has pushed for women's rights and stood up for marginalised groups,   has been conducting relentless  door-to-door campaigns.

“As a lawyer, I do a lot of pro bono work for the people of Kericho and I know they will reciprocate by voting for me,” he says.

UDM’s Sigei, a Nairobi-based businessman, unsuccessfully vied for the Bureti parliamentary seat twice. He contested for the seat on a Kaddu ticket in 2007  and  on UDM party ticket in 2013.

His campaign strategy has been quite different from his opponents and he seems to prefer holding town hall meeting instead of boisterous political rallies.

Political analyst Dr Chebunet says the race has narrowed down to a two-horse race between Jubilee and Kanu and it will be won by whoever is more effective  in mobilising voters in populous Kipkeleon East and West constituencies which between them have a total of 76,619 listed voters  going by the 2013 voter register.

"It is clear that the other candidates would fit the bill of flowergirls. There are only two horses— JAP and Kanu—and the party that succeeds in mobilising populous constituencies will take home the prize,” Chebunet says.